Few nations have attained the blessings of liberty, because few have had energy, courage, and virtue to deserve them.

In a speech before a popular assembly, when it was proposed that Corsica should submit to France. He was then not more than twenty years of age. Paoli said to him, when remarking his energy and decision of character, O Bonaparte! you do not resemble the moderns: you belong only to the heroes of Plutarch!

Barbaroux spoke of Corsica in 1790, as a possible resort of French patriots, where neither Genoese nor French have been able to naturalize tyranny; which needs but hands to be fertile, and philosophers to be enlightened.